Electrode holder



March 29, 1932. A 1 FAUSEK ET AL 1,851,039

ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed March 24, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l I ATTO/P/YEV March 29, 1932. A. J. FAUSEK ET AL 1,851,039

ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed March 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Afro/@MEV Patented Mar'. 29, 1932 PATENT OFFICE .ARTHUR J'. FAUSEK ANI) IBWING-F. FAUSEK, DIENST. LOUIS, MISSOURI nLEo'rnoDE HOLDER Application led H arcb. 24, 1930. Serial No. 438,369.

This invention relates generally to electrode holders of the type employed in electric arc welding and the predominant object of .the invention is tofprovide an electrode holder of this type whichis of such improved construction that the Welders task of using said holder is rendered less diiiicult,. the useful life of the holder is increased, and the electrode gripping ability thereof is lrendered more positive.

Y. Vholder ofthe'type referred to must grip the electrode very securely and as a result of this requirement these electrode holders ordinarily include, each, an extremely strong `coil spring which forces the jaws of the holder together for gripping the electrode.

. The electrode which are gripped by the holders are of varying diameters, some thereofV being of substantial diameter, and heretofore when the Welder desired to introduce a new electrodefin a holder, it has been necessary that he move thegripping jaws against the action of the strong coil spring, from a position where said gripping jaws were 'completely closed, to a position where said jaws were separated sufficiently to permit insertion therebetween of the electrode. In other words, heretofore it has been necessary for the Welder to apply sufficient pressure each.

time an electrode was introduced into a holder to move the movablejawasubstantial distance against the action of a very strong spring and as this occurred a number of times` during a working day the task of the welder was rendered 'quite ,dilicultand tiresome.

In view of the foregoing we have produced the improved holder ldisclosed herein which is so constructed that the movable jaw therejaw independent of the hand operated means of is adjustable with respect to the. associated f employed when said movable jaw is moved to permit introduction of an electrode between the jaws: This adjustable arrangement provides for maintaining the jaws of the holder in partially opened position and as a resultof this situation the-stroke or extent of movement-of the movable jaw, when same is moved to permit insertion of an electrode between the jaws of the holder, is .very materially reduced.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the` jaws4 of the holder are parts of a unit which is readily separable from the balance ofthe holder. This is important because the welders frequently accidentally touch the jaws of the holder to the other electrode of the apparatus and when this happens the jaws are usu.- ally burned beyond further use. Heretofore when the jaws were burned as described the entire holder had to be discarded, but in the use of our improved holder only the jaw unit of the'holder would have to be replaced. Still another important feature of the invention relates to the cross-sectional construction o f the jaws of our holder whichcauses the electrode to be gripped at three points whereby the gripping action is much more secure than the flat grips formerly employed.

Figure 1 is a plan view of our, improved electrode holder, a portion of the handle portion thereof being broken away to conserve space.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the electrode'holder illustrated in Figure l, the fragment of the handle shown in this view being illustrated in section. l

^ Figure 3 is a crosslsection on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on line 1 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-section on line 5 5l of Figure l.

Figure 6 illustrates a second form of thel invention. i

' Figure 7 illustrates another form of the invention. v

Figure 8 illustrates still another form of the. invention.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for thel purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of our invention, A designates the electrode holder generally, said electrode holder comprising an intermediate portion B a jaw unit C, and a handle portion D. The andle portion D is comprised of a tubular element 1 of fiber or other suitable insulating material, and said tubular element is' open at its opposite ends. The intermediate portion B of the holder includes an end portion 2 shaped to iit closely into the inner endl of the tubular element 1 of the handle portion as shown in Figure 2, and this end portion 2 is provided with a tapered opening 3 formed therethrough, the larger end of said tapered open ing beingv at the rear end of said end portion-2. rlhe intermediate portion 'B of the lholder includes, also, a bar portion 4 which is preferably formed integral with the end vportion 2 and extends forwardly therefrom,

said bar portion 4 havinga pair of spaced apart, upwardl extended ears 5 formed thereon. 6 designates a hollow, upwardly extended portion which is preferably formed integral with the bar portion 4 of the intermediate portion ofthe holder, the opening through the portion 6 being reduced in diameter adjacent to they upper end thereof whereby a shoulder 7 is produced (Figure 3). Projected forwardly with respect to the portion 6 is an extension 8 which preferably is formed integral with the said portion 6, said extension being recessed as indicated at 9 in Figure 4.

The jaw unit C of the holder includes a fixed jaw 10 the inner end portion of which is seated in the recess 9 formed in the extension 8. Thefixed jaw 10 is secured to the extension Shy means of a single bolt 11 which passes through apertures formed through the extension and the inner end portion of said fixed jaw, the side walls of the recess 9 preventing pivotal movement of the fixed jaw about bolt referred to. Also the fixed jaw 10 is provided with downwardly extended, spaced apart ears 12. Pivotally secured at 13 to the ears 12 just referred to is the movable jaw 1,4 of the -jaw unit, said movable 'jaw having la rearwardly extended portion 14a located rearwardly of the pivotal joint 1 3, and a gripping portidn 14b extended forwardly with respect to said pivotal point.`

Extended longitudinally through the portion 6 of the intermediate portion of the holder is a rod 15 (Figures 2 and 3) the upper end portion of which is screw-threaded tions of'thetransverse portion 16 at oppoand which is, provided -with a transversely extended portion 16 whereby said rod is provided with a substantially T-shaped lower en d portion. The rod 15 is extended through an elongatedvopening 17 formed through the rear portion of the movable jaw 14, .the porsite sides ofthe rod being seated in curved depressions 18 formed in the rear end por-V able jaw in a direction away from the intermediate portion B of the holder.

22 designates an adjustment nut which is screwed on the screw-threaded 'upper portion of the rod 15. The upper portion of the adjustment nut 22 is of larger diameter than the remainder thereof and preferably -its circumferential face is knurled, and located immediately beneath said lmurled portion is an intermediate portion 23 `of slightly reduced diameter. At the lower end of the intermediate portion 23 isa shoulder 24 (Figure 3) which contacts withthe top face of the portion 6 of the intermediate portion B, and extended downwardly ifrom said shoulder is a portion 25.

In view of the arrangement just described it is plain that by rotating the adjusting nut 22 the rod 15 may be moved longitudinally of its axis, thus imparting like movement to the movable jaw 14 whereby the gripping portion 14b thereof will be moved toward and away from the fixed jaw 10.

Pivoted at 26 to the ears 5 is an 'operating handle 27 which is provided atits forward end with a forked portion 28 which embraces the intermediate portion 23 of the adjusting nut 22. The top fac'eof the forked portion 28 contacts with the lower face of the knurled portion of the adjusting nut, and the rear end portion'of said operating handle 27 is pr vided with a covering formed of ber 'or other suitable insulating material. The 'i A 110 'sthe result Vthat the rear endl portion 14". of

the movable jaw will be moved toward the intermediate portion B and the gripping portion 14b'thereof will be moved away from the Vfixed jaw 10. The rear portion of the operating handle is preferably curvedso as to'i't within the hand of the user o f the holder.

29 designates a substantially U-shaped ress ing the rear portion of said aoi clamp which is secured to the intermediate portion B of the holder by means of a bolt, 30. The electrical conductor 31'by which l electrical energy is conducted to the holder i's passed through lthe hollow )handle portion D and thelinsulation of said conductor is cut away so as to expose the wires at the forward end of said conductor. These exposed wires are inserted between the clamp 29 and the bar portion 4 of the intermediate portion B and the bolt is tightened to cause the clampl to securely grip the wires of the conductor so that close electrical contact is made between the wires of the conductor and the bar portion 4. In connecting the electrical conductor 31 to the holder thetaperedopening 3 (Figure 2) will. guide the for'ward end portion of said conductor to its proper location at the clamp 29.

The bar portion 4 of the intermediate portion B is provided with outwardly extended ears 32 to which a disk 33 is fixed by means 5 of fastening devices 34, said disk bein formed of iiber or other suitable material and being extended to protect the hand of the ruser` of the holder from the heat resulting from the welding operations. l o. By referring to Figure 5 of the drawings it will be noted that in cross-section the lower face of the iixed jaw 10 is concave while the top face of the movable jaw is convex. More specifically stated the lower face of the 5 fixed jaw 10 is provided at its opposite side edges with teeth 35 which incline upwardly and inwardlyfrom the side faces of said iixed jaw so that the outer ends of said teeth are in a horizontal plane which is lower than the remainder of said teeth. Also the face of the fixed jaw at the baseof the teeth 35 is comprised of oppositely inclined portions 36, and -at the transverse center of said fixed jaw a longitudinally extended, inverted V-shaped 5 depression 37 is formed. When an electrode E is gripped between the jaws 10 and 14, said electrode is gripped at the three points X, Y,

and Z (Figal 5), hence the electrode is very securely and firmly held by said jaws. Also an electrode may be extended longitudinally between the jaws said electrode being seated in the depression 37 .1

ln the use of our improved electrode holder the adjusting nut 22 may be rotated to adjust the gripping portion 14b of the movable jaw toward and away from the gripping portion of the fixed jaw. The result of this arrangement is that if an 'electrode of the approximate diameter of that illustrated by 0 dotted lines in Figure 2 is being employed, the adjusting nut may be set so that when no electrode is positioned between the jaws 10 and 14 a space will be maintained between said jaws which is only slightly less than the 5 diameter of the electrode being used. Then j when the welder desires to introducean electrode between the jaws it is merely necessary that he movethe operating handle 27' enough to open the jaws the slight distance necessary to 4permit insertion of the eloctrodeand upon releasing 'said operating handle the coil spring will cause the jaws to securely grip the electrode. It is obvious, therefore, that Wwthe`necessityjfor moving the movable jaw A .through a'full stroke froml the completely lclosed position is eliminated and the task of In the specification and claims of this ap- I g plication we have employed terms of orientation such as upper, lower, forward, rearward, etc., and it is to be understood that such terms as used for convenience of description and not in a limiting sense as the `holder may be disposed in various positions.

In Figure 6 we illustrate a form of the invention which very closely resembles the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive; that is to say, the fixed jaw 10 of the holder illustrated in Figure 6 is provided with a hollow A portion 6 in which a coil spring 21 is seated,

and preferably we line tlieIcavity within the hollow portion 6 with a suitable heat resisting material 40 such as asbestos. 15 designates a rod which extends longitudinally through the hollow portion 6, said rod being lsupported for sliding movement in an opening 41 formed in the wall 6al at an end of the cavity within the. hollow portion 6. The end portion of the rod 15 adjacent to the base of the hollow portion 6 is screwthreaded and a nut 42 is screwed on said screwthreaded portion, said nut contacting with the wall 6 to limit downward movement of the rod 15 withrespect to the hollow portion 6. The coil spring 21 is interposed between a fiber washer 43 located at the wall 6L of the hollow portion 6 and a similar fiber washer 44 which is in contact with a collar 45 on the rod 15 whereby said coil spring-tends to move the rod 15 downwardly. A

The movable jaw 14 is provided with an extended operating portion 46 and 47 desigrod 15 is screwthreaded and 48 designates an internally screwthreaded sleeve which is screwed on s'aid screwthreaded portion, said sleeve having an annular flange portion 49 which is provided with a rounded top face 5() which is seated in a correspondingly rounded depression formed at the upper end of the aperture 47. The lower end of the sleeve 48 is externally screwthreaded and a nut 51 is screwed on said externally screwthreaded portion, said nut having a. rounded face 52 which is seated in a rounded depression formed at the lower end of the aperture 47. The nut A51 is made removable from the sleeve 48 to permit assembling of the holder and .15 the movable jaw may be adjusted with rejaw 14.

c the coil spring 21 forces the gripping portion of the movable jaw 14 toward theiixed jaw to grip an electrode vpositioned between said jaws, and when it is desired to separate said jaws the o jaw may e depressed against the action of the coil spring to move the gripping portion of the movable jaw away from the ixedsj aw.

Also in the use of this form of the invention spect to the fixed jaw by screwing the nut 51 longitdinally of the rod 15 whereby the movable jaw will receive like movement be- 'cause of the ball Jand socket-like connection between the Vunit comprised of the sleeve 48 and the nut 51 and said movable jaw.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 7 We employ a ,link 55 whichis pivoted at 56 to an ear 57 formed on the holder. At

its lower end the link is pivoted to a rod' 58 at 59 which rod 58 is loosely connected at its lower-end tothe rear end of the movable 60 designates a rod which is pivotally connected at 59 to the connected ,ends

of the' link 55 and rod 58, said rod being provided with a collar 61 at its rear end. 62 designates a coilspring which is interposed between-the collar 61 and a fixed part 63 of the handlev structure ofthe holder, said coil spring being characterized by a tendency to Jforce the rod 60 rearwardly. Pivoted to the ear 57 is an operating handle 64 which is provided with an"extension 65 whichv contacts with a collar 66 on the rod 60, said operating handle 64 being provided with a second extension -67 adapted to contact with a stop 68 formed on the holder lwhereby outward movement of the rear end portion of the operating handle 64 is limited. The' rod 58 is screwthreaded at its lower portion and 69 designates'. an internally screwthreaded sleeve which is screwed on said screwthreaded -portion of said rod, said sleeve being provided with an annular liange portion 69 and having a nut 70 screwed on its lower externally screwthreaded portion as in the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 6. The rear end portion of the movable jaw 14 is provided with an elongated opening 71 through'which the sleeve 69 extends and the -nut 70'is permanently ixed to said sleeve after such extension of the sleeve through rear portion of the movable jaw at opposite sides of the opening 71 are interposed bef tween and are in Contact with the inner faces of the flange portion 69 and the nut 70.

In `the use of the device illustrated in 65 Figure 7 the link 55 and the rod 58 provide erating portion 46 of the movable the opening referred to. The portions of the.

otal point of .theJ toggle is moved forwardly as described, the rear end of the movable jaw will be moved toward the holder whereby the gripping portion of said movable jaw will be moved away from the gripping portion of the xed jaw, and when the operating ,handle 64 is released the coil spring 62 will draw the pivotal point 59 rearwardly whereby the gripping portion of the movable jaw 14c will be moved forcibly toward the gripping portionof the fixed jaw.

In the use of the form of the invention shown in Figure 7 the gripping portion ot the movable jaw may be adjusted-toward and j romthe gripping portion of the fixed jaw by screwing the unit comprised of the sleeve 69 and nut 70 longitudinallyr of the rod 58 whereby the desired movement will beimparted to the movable jaw. v

The Jform of the lnvention shown in Figure 8 includes an operating lever 75 which is provided with extensions 76 and 77 extended at an approximate right an le with respect to each other. The extension 6 has pivotally vsecured to it at 78 a rod 79. and this rod at its opposite end is connected by means of an adjustable connection 80 to the movable jaw 81. The adjustable connection v8O is constructed and arranged just as is the adjustable connection comprised of the sleeve `48 and nut 51 illustrated in Figure 6, said adjustable lconnection 80 being adjustable longitudinally of the screwthreaded portion 79' of the rod 7 9 to impart movement to the movable jaw 81 which will cause the gripping portion of said movable jaw to be adjusted toward and from the gripping portion of the fixed jaw 82.- 83 designates a rod which is loosely attached to the extension 77 of the operating lever 75, said rod 83 having a collar 84 fixed at its rear end and being surrounded by a coil spring 85. The opposite ends of the coil spring contact with the collar 84 and a fixed part 86 of the holder whereby said coil spring tends to move the rod 83 adjusted for electrodes of different diameters i -whereby accidental rotation of said adjustable connection is prevented.'

In the use of the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 the coil spring 85 draws the extension 7 7 rearwardly whereby the extension 76 tends to move in a direction parallel with'the axis of the rod 79. This has the eiect of maintaining the jaws 81 and 82 in a closed position. However, when it is desired to move the ripping portion of the movable jaw away rom the gripping portion of the fixed jaw the rear portion ot the operating lever 7 5 will be moved toward the handle portion of the holder whereby the coil spring 85 will be compressed by moving the extension 77 forwardly and the rod will be 'drawn upwardly to separate the gripping portionv of the movable jaw from the grip-- ping portion of the fixedjaw/ e claim:

l. An electrode holder including a pair of jaws, resilientmcans tending to maintain said jaws in a closed position, operating means for causing said jaws to assume an open position, and adjusting means for regulating the stroke of one of said jaws toward the other jaw.

2. An electrode holder including a'pair of jaws, resilient means tending to maintain said jaws in a closed position, operating means for causing said jaws to assume an open position, and adjusting means for rcguiatiug the stroke of one of said jaws toward the other jaw, said adjusting means comprising a s-.rcwthreaded element arranged in cooperation with the jaw whose stroke is regulated. v l

3. An electrode holder including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw cooperable with each other in a manner to clamp an electrode therebetween, a coil spring tending to move the clamping portion oi said movable jaw toward the clamping portion of the fixed jaw, means for moving the clamping portion of' said movable jaw to an openv position, and adjusting means for regulating the position4 of the clamping portion of the movable jaw with respect to the clamping portion of said fixed jaw.

4. An electrode holder including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw cooperable with each other in a. manner to clamp an electrode there'- between, a coil spring tending to move the clamping portion of said movable jaw toward the clamping portion of the fixed jaw means for moving the clamping portion ot said movable jaw to an open position, and adjusting means for regulating the position of the clamping portion of the movable jaw with respect to the clampingportion of said fixed jaw, said adjusting means comprising a screwthreaded ele-ment arranged in cpoperation'with said movable jaw.

5. An electrode holderincluding'a fixed jaw and a movable jaw cooperable with each other in a manner to clamp an electrodey therebetween, a coil spring tending to move the clamping portion of said movable jaw toward the clamping portion of the fixed jaw, means for moving-the clamping portion of said movable jaw to an open position, and adjusting means for regulating the position of the clamping portion lof the movable jaw with respect to the clamping portion of said fixed jaw, said adjusting means including a screwthreadcd element arranged in cooperation with said movable jaw, and an adjusting nut associated with said screwthreaded element and operable to move same longitudinally of its major axis.

6.' An electrode holder including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw coo'perable with each other in a manner to clamp an electrode therebetween, a coil spring tending to move the clamping portion of said movable jaw toward the clamping portion of said fixed jaw, adjusting means for regulating the osition of the clamping portion of the mova le jaw with respect to theclamping portion of the fixed jaw, and operating means cooper` atingwith said adjusting means for moving the clamping portion of said movable jaw to an open position.

7.,An electrode holder including a fixedv jaw and a movable jaw eooperable with each other 1n a manner to clamp anclectrode therebetween, a coil spring tending to move the clamping portion of said movable jaw toward the clamping portion of said fixed jaw, adjusting means for regulating the position of the clamping-portion ot' the movable jaw with'respect to the clamping portion of the fixed jaw, and operating means cooperating With said adjusting means for moving the clamping portion of said movable jaw to an open position, said adjustingl meansy comprising a screwthreaded element ar' ranged in cooperation with said movable jaw, and an adjusting nut associated with said scrcwthreaded element and operable to move same longitudinally, and said operating means comprising a pivoted lever arranged to engage said adjusting nut and operable to move said adjusting nut and said screwthreaded element to impart movement to said movable jaw.

8. An electrode holder including a pairof jaws, one of said jaws having la concave clamping face and the associated jaw having a convex clamping face whereby an electrode will be clamped at three points by said jaws said concave clamping face being provided with teeth at its opposite side edges only, and being provided with a recess which extends longtudinally ot said clamping face, and said convex face being curved longitudinally thereof.

In testimony whercotl we have hereunto set our hands.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. l IRWING F. FAUSEK. l 

